 |
Located on a small peninsula on Lake Thun, the castle and its churchare of national significance.
In its interactive exhibition, the Spiez Castle shows 1300 years of local history. Hands-on attractions, 3D-stations, and many more offers as for example the knight’s trail prove that there’s something for everyone, especially for kids and families.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
According to Elogy Kiburger, author of The Chronicle of Strettliger, in 933, King Rudolph II of Burgundy built the Spiez Castle. Shortly thereafter, the castle was given to the fief of Baron von Strettligen. This date is considered to be the years of foundation of the castle.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
Part of the current fortress walls and the main tower were built in the XII century, and by the XIII century the town of Spiez already existed outside the castle walls. By 1280, the castle was included in the list of imperial possessions under the vogt of Richard de Corbière. In 1289, the von Strettligen barons were no longer the sole owner of the castle. Besides them, other noble families lived here.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
In 1308, King Albrecht I of Habsburg was assassinated in Windisch on Royce by his nephew, Duke Johannes of Swab . As punishment for this crime, the Habsburgs robbed half of the Spiez feud from Thuring von Brandis and transferred the entire territory to prod control to Johannes von Strettligen.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
Thirty years later, in 1338, Johannes sold the castle, the town, the church and the surrounding countryside Johann II von Bubenbergu who was Soltys Bern. By 1340, Bubenberg, appointed by the Vogt , was obliged to gather troops for the Habsburgs. As Bern became de facto independent of its former overlords, the Habsburgs, this created an unstable situation that persisted for over 40 years. Following the victory of the Bernese and Swiss Union over the Habsburgs at the Battle of Sempach in 1386, the Habsburgs abandoned their land claims west of Are , including Spiez.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
From the 16th to the 20th century
The castle and the surrounding land remained in the ownership of the Bubenberg family until 1506, when the property was acquired by Ludwig von Diesbach. The von Diesbach family owned the land for ten years before it was acquired by Ludwig von Erlach. The von Erlach family ruled the town and villages until the 1798 French invasion. After the creation of the Helvetic Republic, the von Erlach family lost their rights over the surrounding lands, but retained the ownership of the castle. And he remained the owner until 1875.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
The old castle was expanded in stages in the late Middle Ages , but little is known about specific dates. In 1600 the great hall and northern buildings were expanded and renovated. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the southern "New Castle" was built, and then expanded and reconstructed in the late Baroque style. The Spiez castle was surrounded by gardens, vineyards and parks. After 1875, the castle changed several owners until it became the property of the local municipality. The gardens and parks are currently open to the public, and the chateau's rooms are used for conferences, concerts, exhibitions and other events.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
Description
- The massive square at the base of the fortress, which has survived to our days, was built around 1200. The lower walls are about 3 meters thick. But at the top, they get thinner. The base of the main tower has a size of 11.3 mx 11.2 m. The height of the tower increased more than once and reached its maximum by 1600. The total height with the hipped roof is 39 meters.
- The original fortress was surrounded by several freestanding wooden buildings. In the following centuries, these buildings were replaced by a ring wall and two outer moats.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
Around 1300, a residential wing was added to the north of the fortress. At that time, the fortress was probably significantly lower than today. The residential building was connected with the castles by a wooden gallery. There must have been jousting tournaments near the castle. This is evidenced by the characteristic graffiti on the old plaster. In the 14th century, a north wing was added to the main residence.
 |
| Spiez Switzerland Vineyard |
From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the castle was reconstructed several times until it acquired its current appearance.